Sheesh, I don’t know about you, but this week flew by fast…Of course, that might be because I played hookie from work on Monday.
It’s my Mom’s fault! Blame her. She convinced me to skip work to go on a random road trip to the mountains. (Yeah, my mom told me to ditch…She’s such a positive influence 😉 Kidding!)
“Come on, Jenna,” she implored on Sunday. “Take tomorrow off. We can go eat lunch in Vail, and then drive up to Leadville, and then maybe stop in–”
“Idaho Springs?”
“What?”
“I’ll go if we can stop in Idaho Springs.”
“Um…Okay?” She looked less than thrilled by the request. Idaho Springs isn’t the coolest, hottest, most exotic town in Colorado. Plus, we pass by it all the time to get to the higher elevated mountain resorts.
“I need to do some book research for a scene that takes place there,” I explained to her. “If we can stop in Idaho Springs, then I’ll go.”
“Deal!”
So, I sent an email to my boss and hopped in the car.
We windy-weaved through the Rocky Mountains all day long, making stops in Vail, Avon, Edwards, Minturn, Leadville, and lastly–and most importantly–Idaho Springs. Now, I’ve been to Idaho Springs plenty of times, but I’ve never really explored it. And I needed to if I was going to use it as a location in my story.
So, with my notebook and camera ready, we pulled off the highway and drove around town. We took it nice and slow so I could jot things down and snap pictures (both with my camera and my imagination).
We even decided to eat at the restaurant I’d picked for my characters to dine at, and ordered the same dish as them. It was fun. And exciting. It’s always fun and exciting for me to walk along the same path as my characters. It brings them to life in a whole new way. It helps me “see” them better. I can look out and “watch” them strolling down the sidewalk, or laughing inside the coffee shop, or staring up into the sky and reciting the words I’ve written for them…
Yes, maybe all of that sounds weird–maybe even a little crazy–to some of you, but oh well. I can’t help it. I love traveling to the locations I use for my stories. It always makes me feel closer to my characters and the lives they lead.
Anyways, that was the main highlight of my week. As for my manuscript, I’ve just hit the halfway mark, and once I finish the current chapter I’m working on, I will be embarking upon that “bang” I mentioned last week.
So. Excited!!!
So, in honor of tracing the steps of my characters this week, and bringing them to life in a new–and much realer–way, here is today’s Friday Funny! 
How was your week? Anyone else play hookie from school/work? Or was I the only rebel out there? 😉
Jen’s Weekly Roundup
In case you missed my posts from earlier this week, here you go!
Music Monday – Once Upon a Dream – Lana Del Rey
How To Write A Novel: 7 Tips Everyone Can Use
Photo Credits:
http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/ferris-bueller/images/21202650/title/ferris-buellers-day-off-gif-fanart
http://www.tonpetitlook.com/en/2014/07/11/your-weekend-getaway-meal-plan-sorted
http://elitedaily.com/women/the-34-signs-you-are-actually-dating-your-best-friend/
Jen's Pen Den 